Car hijacked as man forced to drive to PSNI station with suspicious object in Londonderry
LATEST: Security alert an elaborate hoax
A security alert is continuing in Londonderry after a suspicious object was placed in a car and left outside Waterside Police Station.
The PSNI says a delivery driver’s car was hijacked around 10:30pm in Curryneirin and he was forced to drive at gunpoint to the Waterside, where the grey Ford Mondeo was left.
The driver was able to raise the alarm and the police put a public safety operation into place.
"This reckless and despicable act has brought chaos to the local community in Crescent Link this morning, with many residents having to evacuate their homes,” Superintendent Clive Beatty.
“Local businesses and a local school are also experiencing disruption this morning. This is unacceptable.
"This must have been a horrific ordeal for the driver and we hope he recovers from this traumatic incident.
"We are working to make the scene safe and appreciate the patience and cooperation of the public and, in particular, those who have been directly affected. We will keep you updated with any developments."
The security operation continues, but , Crescent Link has re-opened between Kilfennan Link Road roundabout and Altnagelvin Hospital.
Residents affected will be facilitated to allow them back into their homes with access to Waveney Park via the Rossdowney Road end of Richill Park.
Main access to Richill Park, via Lisnagelvin Road, remains closed at this time.
“I unreservedly condemn this mindless action which showed a reckless disregard for human life,” Ulster Unionist Councillor Ryan McCready said.
“The impact on families has been immense - children have been evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night, they have been denied access to education, nurses have been disrupted from shift patterns and elderly people have been placed in fear and distress.
“I call on anyone who can assist the Police to catch the people responsible to come forward immediately. Nobody wants this and it has to stop.”
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP said the hijacking was an attack on the entire community.
“This horrendous incident has shocked people in Derry and right across the North as they wake up to what's happened on Monday morning,” he said.
“Ordinary people who are getting ready to do a day’s work, children preparing for school and the community as a whole have been impacted, with significant disruption caused as a result.
“Our thoughts are with the driver who has been through a terrible ordeal and all the people affected. Nobody should be subjected to this kind of attack while out trying to earn a living. This incident harks back to one of the darkest days of our city’s past, the disgraceful murder of Patsy Gillespie and will be re-traumatising for victims.
“Those behind this are achieving nothing by disrupting the lives of people in our city. They enjoy no support in this community and are actively harming the cause of Irish unity through their futile actions. Violence of any kind was wrong 50 years ago and it’s wrong today, these groups need to realise it’s long past time they left the stage and police must hold them accountable for their actions.”
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